Jones is an interesting story. He is ranked the No. 81 player in the country by 247 (which makes him one of Coach Chambers’ highest-ranked recruits), but somewhat lower by other services. (See Roar Lions Roar for good background.) He committed to Memphis in the spring but was released from that commitment when Memphis whacked Tubby.

Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) said Memphis’ latest commitment, Myreon Jones, has five-star potential and that if he was re-ranking today, Jones would be in his Top 50.

Izaiah Brockington, a Philadelphia Archbishop Ryan alumnus who just completed his freshman season at St. Bonaventure, announced that he was transferring to Penn State. The 6-4 guard will sit out a year and have three years’ eligibility remaining.

Thank you to all the coaches and schools that reached out to me during this process, but I’ve decided to commit to Penn State University🔵⚪. Thanks to God, my Family, my HS coach and the whole PSU staff for making me feel at home🙌🏾. #WeAre#B1Gpic.twitter.com/tKW9LQqZfY

Losing two high-minutes, high-usage, highly effective guards would seem to put a lot of pressure on 2017-18 reserves Naz Bostick and Jamari Wheeler, and on two incoming freshmen, Myles Dread and Rasir Bolton.

All four were expected to contribute next season, but they would have undoubtedly been able to slip into their roles more comfortably with junior Tony Carr running the show from the point.

That 2019 projection has Penn State at No. 37 nationally, a drop from its 2017-18 No. 18 finish.

The good?:

Penn State started the 2017-18 season projected at No. 49, so it climbed throughout the season to a higher position from an even lower spot.

The bad?:

Most “eyeballs” analysis of college basketball calls guard play especially important, and experienced Shep Garner and Tony Carr in the backcourt would seem to be a much better starting spot than starting with reserves Jamari Wheeler, Naz Bostick and two true freshmen.

With Penn State reportedly active in the grad transfer market, the conventional wisdom would suggest that it should be prioritizing a guard.

Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo told ESPN that Chris Holtmann, Greg McDermott, Shaka Smart, Pat Chambers and Steve Wojciechowski will also be visiting him in Albany the next few days.

As he seems to be to the fan bases of virtually every other college program with a hint of interest, Joe Cremo is a great fit for Penn State’s situation: A shooting guard with a ton of experience, a high three-point-shooting percentage and a high assist ratio.

Indeed, adding Cremo to the Penn State lineup pushes Penn State up to pre-season No. 24 – a 13-slot improvement. It breaks down this way:

Min% * ORTG * USAGE

% of PSU Offense

Lamar Stevens

22.3

20.52%

Mike Watkins

19.6

18.03%

Josh Reaves

15.2

13.96%

→ Joe Cremo

14.6

13.40% ←

Jamari Wheeler

9.2

8.44%

Nazeer Bostick

8.7

8.00%

Myles Dread

6.5

6.01%

Rasir Bolton

5.8

5.34%

John Harrar

4.1

3.75%

Satchel Pierce

2.8

2.55%

108.9

100.00%

2018-19 Projected

ADJ. OE

ADJ. DE

PYTH

RK

Current Roster

111.5

95.3

0.8331

37

+ Cremo

114.7

95.5

0.8666

24

So, yes, adding Cremo would be huge for Penn State.

Penn State is also said to be involved with Illinois grad transfer Michael Finke, a 6-10 stretch-forward type (who Penn State fans should be very familiar with).

Plugging Finke into next year’s lineup has a similar positive effect on Penn State’s projections for next year:

Min% * ORTG * USAGE

% of PSU Offense

Lamar Stevens

22.3

20.39%

Mike Watkins

19.5

17.77%

Josh Reaves

16.0

14.61%

→ Michael Finke

13.8

12.60% ←

Jamari Wheeler

9.2

8.38%

Nazeer Bostick

9.2

8.39%

Myles Dread

6.9

6.30%

Rasir Bolton

5.8

5.31%

John Harrar

4.1

3.73%

Satchel Pierce

2.8

2.53%

109.6

100.00%

2018-19

ADJ. OE

ADJ. DE

PYTH

RK

Current Roster

111.5

95.3

0.8331

37

+ Finke

114.1

94.5

0.8732

22

Obviously, a ton of assumptions are baked into all these scenarios. But as we move into the late-signing period (and crazy time for college rosters), it is important to recognize that a lot of things can happen, and that there are a lot of ways to win (and lose) college basketball games.*

* Another example: Pitt grad transfer Ryan Luther would project Penn State to 21. Penn State has not been reported to be involved with Luther.

Even with Jacobs Yaffa out, The Nittany Lions appear to have no scholarships available for next season. Transfers, graduations, other issues can and usually do change that number in the spring for all schools.

Pat Chambers and his staff at Penn State got great news on the first day of February when they landed the commitment from 2019 versatile forward, Patrick Kelly. Kelly is the first commitment to the 2019 class for the Nittany Lions. Kelly is a guy that can shoot very well, rebound and does all the little things well to help his team win. Kelly chose Penn State over of Grand Canyon, UNLV, Providence and Richmond. He spoke to us on his trust he has with Coach Chambers and his staff.

“Coach Chambers and his staff believe in me and I think I would be a great fit in their program.”

When asked how he will be used at Penn State, he said, “I will be a 3/4 and will make plays around my strengths.”

He said that Penn State fans should, “expect a competitor that will do whatever it takes to win.”